Set Me Free: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistryPrøve

SET ME FREE FROM MENTAL PRISONS: ANGER Emperor Palpatine spoke for Satan himself, and spoke also for the unconverted beast inside each of us, when he tried to goad Luke Skywalker into violence: "Give in to your anger. . . . Make yourself more my servant. . . . I can feel your anger. . . . Let the hate flow through you." People generally like being angry. It makes them feel righteous and aggrieved. We love it when movie characters burst out of their passivity and good manners: "I'm mad as h---, and I'm not going to take it anymore." We admire gangsters who bypass the (slow) criminal justice system and simply carry out their own revenge. Anger usually destroys. It rarely builds. "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires" (James 1:19,20). Let go. Let God take care of retribution and vengeance. Pray for the Spirit's brakes on your mouth. Forgive your enemies . . . and your friends.